Near-isogenic lines of melon with different climacteric behavior as a tool to characterize fruit senescence traits

Aroma volatiles and fruit quality traits at harvest or after senescence were determined in a collection of near-isogenic lines (NILs) with different climacteric behavior (two non-climacteric NILs more the parental non-climacteric 'Piel de sapo, and the rest climacteric). Data were analyzed by partial least squares discriminant analysis. In senescent fruit, four ester volatiles (particularly benzyl acetate) helped to discriminate between climacteric and non-climacteric NILs. Aroma volatiles were more efficient for discriminating by senescent or climacteric behavior than fruit quality traits, and flavor traits (dry matter, soluble solids content, titratable acidity, and individual sugars and organic acid content) were more efficient than using other major quality traits (including color, texture, pH, extractable Juice and juice density). Particularly flesh firmness was clearly discriminating the fruit of the parental line from the rest either at harvest or after senescence.